Spring arrangement for car trucks



Jan. 10, 1933. c. 1.. ORR

SPRING ARRANGEMENT FOR CAR TRUCKS Filed Sept. 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

9'1 ATTORN Jan. 10, 1933. c. 1.. ORR

SPRING ARRANGEMENT FOR CAR TRUCKS Filed Sept. 25. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 INVENTOR. BY

Patented Jan. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLAUDE L. ORR, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BUCKEYE STEEL CASTINGS COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO SPRING ARRANGEMENT FOR CAR TRUCKS Application filed September 25, 1930. Serial No.484,428.

This invention relates to improvements in a spring arrangement for car trucks, and more especially to spring assemblies of the type including both helical and elliptical springs.

An object of the invention is to provide a car truck with springs of both the elliptical and helical types which are advantageously located for ease of assembling and replacement, and to facilitate inspection of the springs. j

Another object is to combine in an accessibly located spring group, the advantages of both the elliptical and helical types of springs.

l/Vith the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, theinvention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. lis a side elevation of one-half of a six-wheel truck provided with my improvements.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of one quarter of such a truck.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Before proceeding with a detail descrip tion of the invention, it may be well to point out the usual functions and results of helical and elliptical springs. Helical springs offer high capacity for the space occupied, but make for uncomfortable riding, due to the fact that they dissipate very little work during compression, and, therefore, have nearly 100% recoil. A spring group made up entirely of helical springs, has a period of vibration which when in tune with the speed of the car, rail joints, etc., builds up its amplitude of vibration and results in rough riding, and in some cases damage to cars and lading. Derailment of cars has been known to result from the roll of the car being built up in the above manner, to a point where the wheels on one side of the car are lifted off the rails. Elliptical springs dissipate a considerable portion of the work of compression, this resulting in easy riding.

Work dissipation also has a dampening effeet on the amplitude of vibration and keeps it from building up even when other conditions are favorable for its doing so. However, elliptical springs alone occupy a much greater amount of space and are much heavier than the helical springs of the same load capacity.

The spring group or arrangement which I have devised occupies a less amount of space and is lighter in weight than if composed entirely of elliptical springs, and is easier riding than if composed of helical springs. Of course the dampening effect of the elliptical springs in my group, prevent the objectionable up of the amplitude of vibration.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates one of the end side frame members of a known type of six-wheel truck which is pivotally connected at its inner end at 1a to one of the arms 1?) of the central equalizer to which the central axle 1c of the truck is connected. Of course, the middle wheels 1d are secured to this axle.

A portion of the other end member of the side frame is shown, at 1e, and it is pivotally secured at 17 to the other arm 1g of the equalizer. Obviously, there will be a similar arrangement at the opposite side of the truck.

In the trucks of this character, two transverse bolsters are used, and each of the end members of the side frame has a bolster opening 1k, and in opposite bolster openings, spring seats 2 are positioned and carry brake hanger brackets 2a.

Resting on each spring seat is a spring group made up of a pair of helical springs 3, and an elliptical spring 3a, the latter extending transversely of the truck.

Each bolster 4 has its ends extending into opposite bolster openings UL and rests on the spring groups, and the transverse bolsters carry the center bolster 5, while the weight of the car body and lading rest on the center bolster center plate 6.

Each transverse bolster is recessed at 7 to accommodate the elliptical springs, and the remainder of this holster is made in the usual way, and rests on the helical s rings.

The usual end axles 8 to which t e end wheels 9 are secured, are connected to the end members of the side frames.

It may be seen from the above that each sprin grou is so placed that it is easy to assem le an replace broken springs, and all of the springs are in full View from the side of the truck, thus making inspection convenient.

Heretofore, when helical and elliptical springs have been combined in car trucks, the location was such that inspection, assembly and replacement was difiicult and inconvenient.

It will be obvious that any load such as a car body and lading will be carried by the bolster system to the spring groups, and that any shocks due to the truck passing over uneven track, rail joints, etc., will have to pass through the spring groups before being carried to the bolster system, car body and lad- 1n While I have illustrated the invention in connection with a six-wheel truck, it is manifest that such a spring arrangement can also be conveniently used with a four-wheel truck.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the invention may be readily understood by thoseskilled in the art, and I am aware that changes may be made in the details disclosed, Without departing from the spirit of the invention, as expressed in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A car truck including a side frame member, a helical spring and an elliptical spring supported b said member and arranged side by side, an a transverse bolster resting on said springs, said elliptical spring being pobitioned in alignment with said bolster and at one side of the longitudinal vertical center of the bolster, and the helical spring being arranged at the opposite side of said center.

2. A car truck including a side frame member, a helical spring and an elliptical spring supported b said member and arranged side /by side, an a transverse bolster resting on said springs, said elliptical spring being p0- sitioned in alignment with said bolster, the .bolster being recessed at one side only of its longitudinal vertical center to partially house the elliptical spring, and the helical spring bein arranged at the opposite side of said center.

3. In a car truck, a side frame member havin a bolster opening, a helical spring and an elliptical spring resting on said side frame member, and a bolster having an end projecting into said bolster opening and resting on said springs, the end of the bolster having its bottom portion partially removed at one side only of its longitudinal vertical center to accommodate the elliptical spring, and the helical spring being arranged at the opposite side of said center.

4. A car truck comprising a side frame member having a bolster opening, a sprin seat in the bolster opening, a plurality of he 1ca l springs supported by the spring seat, an elliptical sprin and arranged alongside of the helical springs, and a bolster having an end extending into the bolster opening and resting on said springs, the bolster having a longitudinal recess on its under side at one side of its longitudinal vertical center into which the elliptical spring projects, the helical springs being arranged at the opposite side of said vertical center.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

CLAUDE L. ORR.

supported by the spring seat. 

